Middlesbrough's good news story this season - David Wheater - knows he faces a battle to keep his place as Manu Pogatetz and Robert Huth return from injury.

"It's been a fantastic season for me," Wheater told the Evening Gazette. "I didn't really expect to be in the first team so quickly. I don't think I was even third or fourth choice in the first friendly, and then lads got injured and I just took my chance when it came.

"You have to take any opportunity you can. It was unlucky for the other lads that it came through injury, but it was a gain for me.

"It's good that Mani and Robert are coming back from injury because they have been out for a while and the competition makes you a better player.

"But hopefully I can keep my place. I don't want to give it up. I will try to stay in the team as long as I can."